Passengers' movement through Indo-Bangla land ports to remain shut till May 31

The government has extended restrictions on the movement of passengers through land ports with India, up to May 31, as India's surge in coronavirus cases continues.

Although borders with India will remain closed to people, goods will continue to cross.

However, Bangladeshi citizens, stranded in India, could enter through Benapole, Akhaura, Burimari, Darshana, Hili, and Sonamasjid.

The general movement of people between Bangladesh and India, through all the other land ports, will remain suspended.

Railroads will be encouraged for the export and import of goods between the two countries during this period.

Bangladesh citizens now stranded in India, who qualifies and are willing to return to the country, will have to submit a Covid-19 negative certificate with QR code (RT-PCR) to obtain a no-objection certificate from Bangladesh missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala, the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Tripura's Agartala, India said Friday.

Earlier, the government closed the border with India for 14 days with effect from April 26 but cargoes carrying goods were allowed to operate as usual.

Later on May 8, the border suspension was extended for 14 more days.